Tails was feeling better than he had in a long time; his cough was much better, and he wasn't so stuffy anymore… even his side didn't hurt as bad. Maybe even better than that, he felt happy. It had been so long since he was really happy he'd almost forgotten what it was like.

Sonic had been really nice to him; he fed him nice, made him feel better when he was scared and even told him neat stories when he couldn't sleep. He even let him watch cartoons downstairs during the day, which was very exciting for Tails given that he'd only seen TVs through windows.

Tails had been pretty scared when Sonic left for a while yesterday, first because he was convinced he wouldn't come back and then because he came back with bad scrapes all over him. The hedgehog explained that he'd had to go fight Robotnik, and reassured the kit that he was fine.

"Trust me, kiddo… this is the worst I let 'em do," he'd said, smirking.

Since than, Tails had been thinking about things he'd heard about Robotnik. He wanted to ask, but he was still afraid of making Sonic mad. He glanced over at the hedgehog, who was settled on the couch beside him with his hands behind his head. Well, the hedgehog had been awful nice, so maybe just one question wouldn't hurt.

"Sonic?" he asked softly. To his relief, Sonic only glanced at him casually.

"Hmm? What's up?"

Tails took a deep breath, then continued.

"What's ro… re… robuttizing?"

Sonic frowned a little and Tails lowered his ears, but the frown looked more thoughtful than mad. The hedgehog's eyes brightened in realization.

"Oh, ya mean robotisizing," he said. "Well, that's… that's when Robotnik puts someone like you or me in a big machine and…"

He hesitated, then let out a heavy sigh. He looked really sad for some reason.

"It turns 'em into a robot."

The thought made Tails shiver.

"Does it hurt?" he blurted before he could stop himself. Sonic shivered and looked away, and Tails instantly feared that he'd made him upset. Would he get mad?

"I dunno," Sonic finally said, his voice very quiet. "And I hope I never find out. But from what I've heard… yeah. It hurts really bad."

Tails shivered again as his ears flattened.

"M' sorry, Sonic," he mumbled. "I din' wanna make y' all sad."

To his relief, Sonic looked at him and smiled, waving a hand.

"No prob, kid," he said. "It's not your fault. I just… I just don't like to talk about it, that's all."

Tails looked down sheepishly and fiddled with his hands, his ears still lowered.

"Where'd you hear about that, anyway?" Sonic asked.

Tails' ears pricked, and he looked up.

"Nob'dy… I read it on a paper I found once."

Sonic's eyes went wide and he stared at Tails until the kit drew back, flattening his ears again.

"Sonic, did I say somethin' bad?" he asked, but the hedgehog didn't seem to be paying attention.

"You read it?"

Tails cocked his head, confused now.

"W-well… yeah. Why?"

Sonic sat back, shaking his head in amazement.

"Well, jeez, kiddo… I don't know any four-year-olds that can read words that big. How'd ya learn that?"

Tails perked his ears. He'd never thought about other kids like him reading… he just assumed they did.

"They taught th' bigger kids some at the orph'nage," he said. "I came in n' listened too, cause nob'dy minded. Then when it burned up, I practiced with stuff I found while I was lookin' for food. People helped me with big words sometimes if I asked 'em nice."

Sonic stared at him for a moment, making Tails uneasily lower his ears again. To the kit's great surprise, the hedgehog laughed and ruffled the fur on his head.

"You're one way past cool kid, Tails, ya know that?"

Tails' ears flattened as his muzzle went red, but the ghost of a shy smile formed on his face.

"Thanks," he mumbled.

Sonic frowned a little and scooted closer, looking Tails over carefully. The kit lowered his ears, uneasy.

"What're ya doin'?" he asked. Sonic peeked under one of his arms.

"Lookin' for a smile… I know one's in there someplace."

The hedgehog stopped suddenly and smirked.

"N' I think I found it. Right about… here."

He poked Tails' furry belly and gently tickled it. The little fox squirmed and giggled, his tails twining around each other.

"There ya go!" Sonic chuckled.

Tails' smile widened, but quickly vanished when the door suddenly burst open.

"Oh Sonic!" a female voice rang out. "I brought everything you asked for!"

Tails' eyes widened as Sonic cringed.

"Oh, great…" he groaned through clenched teeth.

"I don't really get why you need juice boxes, but I got a nice pack of 'em," the cheerful voice continued. Sonic quickly got up and walked around the couch, facing the kitchen area with a smile that looked a little forced.

"Thanks Amy, that's great, but I thought you were bringin' the stuff later tonight."

"Oh, sure, but I figured you'd forget so I decided do it now. Where should I put this?"

Clutching one of his namesakes to ease his trembling, Tails slid off the couch and to the floor. Moving very slowly so he wouldn't hurt his ribs, he padded up to Sonic and risked a peek around his legs.

He found himself looking directly at the newcomer, Amy, who looked like another hedgehog, only she was pink. Her eyes went wide and Tails froze in fear. She had seen him, and both his tails were in plain sight. The kit looked at the ground and trembled as he waited for the disgusted cry he was sure would follow.

"Who's that?"

Suddenly the other hedgehog was crouching down beside Tails, smiling widely.

"Aw, aren't you just the cutest thing!" she cooed. "Where'd you come from? How'd you get two tails?"

Tails' flat ears twitched as he clung to Sonic's leg. What was going on? If she saw his tails, why was she calling him cute? Was this a mean game? A gentle hand rested on his head and Tails nuzzled into Sonic's leg as the hedgehog spoke.

"Take it easy, Ames… he's scared."

Amy's voice went from excited to concerned.

"Oh, poor little guy."

A few minutes passed, then Sonic ruffled Tails' hair. The kit slowly peeked out to see Amy crouching down by him again, holding out a juice box with an encouraging smile. Tails looked up at Sonic, who nodded.

"It's okay, kiddo."

Tails stepped forward, his ears still lowered shyly, and took the juice.

"Thanks," he mumbled. He heard Amy giggle as Sonic grinned at him.

"Why don't ya go drink that while I talk t' Amy, buddy?"

Already slurping through the straw, Tails nodded and walked back to the couch. The TV was still playing, but he could hear the voices from the kitchen.

"He likes to be called Tails. I found him on Westside Island… or he found me. Doesn't have any parents."

"Oh, Sonic, that's so sad… but why'd you bring him here? Wasn't there anyone there who could take him?"

Tails heard Sonic sigh.

"Maybe, but I couldn't leave him there. He was bein' beat up so bad, he couldn't get into town. Poor kid was half-starved when I found him, then the sickos almost broke his ribs."

"Oh… how awful… But, Sonic, how will you take care of him?"

There was a long pause, and Tails pricked his ears, trying to hear. Finally, Sonic spoke, softer this time.

"I… I really don't know, Amy. But I'm the only one he trusts, and he's not gonna get over the hell he's been through anytime soon."

Tails felt his heart beat faster and faster as he waited for Sonic to continue. What was he going to say? He sounded so unsure…

"All I know is he picked me. No idea why, but he did."

The hedgehog's voice grew firmer, a determination filling it.

"He needs me, Ames. I'll figure it out somehow."

….

That night…

"C'mon, squirt… bedtime."

The little fox yipped in protest when Sonic scooped him up.

"Aw, Sonic… do I have to?"

Sonic grinned, trying not to laugh.

"Yep. You're not all better yet, kiddo, and ya need your rest."

He carried the kit upstairs and into his room. Once Tails got better enough, he'd have to start figuring out where he could sleep. There might be enough room to squeeze another bed in here, and if that didn't work maybe he could convert another room.

"Okay," he said, setting Tails on the bed. "Ya want a tuck-in?"

Tails nodded, smiling. Sonic smiled back.

"You got it."

As he pulled the covers up, he noticed Tails shifting, looking a little uneasy.

"You okay, lil' bud?" he asked.

Tails bit his lip, then looked up with uncertainty in his wide blue eyes.

"Sonic… Amy liked me even though I got two tails, din't she?"

The hedgehog sighed inwardly; it was heartbreaking to see how damaged Tails was by the horrible abuse he'd suffered. Even now, he feared rejection based on his extra tail, and Sonic doubted that it would heal anytime soon. But he'd do all he could to make sure it did.

"Sure she did! You're cute, you're fuzzy, and mundo cool… what's not to like?"

Tails giggled as Sonic gently tickled his furry belly before tucking the covers around him. The cub's face grew solemn again.

"Sonic?"

The hedgehog smiled.

"Yeah?"

"Well, um…" Tails mumbled. "If you're gonna keep me, can…"

His voice trailed off, and Sonic cocked his head.

"Can what? It's okay, Tails."

"W-well…"

Tails took a deep breath and looked up, his eyes solemn and hopeful.

"Could… could you be my big brother?"

Sonic's jaw dropped open. Apparently mistaking it for displeasure, Tails rushed on.

"Just 'cause then I'd be your little brother, and I could keep fixin' your plane and help ya and do stuff for ya for bein' so nice to me."

Finally, Sonic found his voice.

"Tails, I…"

He swallowed a sudden lump in his throat.

"I'd be glad to, kiddo."

He had never seen the little fox's eyes glow as much they did in that moment. It made his heart melt. Tails held out his arms and Sonic leaned down to fold him in a gentle hug, smiling as the kit nuzzled into his chest. Everything would work out somehow… he knew it.

Finally, Sonic cleared his throat.

"Okay, time t' ease up on the mush and get some sleep."

Tails smiled up at him before snuggling into the covers and closing his eyes. Sonic smiled as well and gently ruffled the little fox's bangs.

"G'night…" he murmured. "Little bro."

The End

A/N: And there you have it. All characters are the property of Sega. I hope you enjoyed the story!